Playing career[edit]

Tootoo in 2010 with Nashville

Nashville Predators[edit]

Tootoo played Bantam AA hockey in Spruce Grove, Alberta. The Brandon Wheat Kings selected him in the 3rd round of the 1998 WHL Bantam Draft. Tootoo played for the Wheat Kings in the Western Hockey League (WHL) from 1999 to 2003 and was selected 98th overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft as the sixth choice of the Nashville Predators. He became the first player of Inuit descent to play in a regular season NHL game when he suited up against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim on Opening Night October 9, 2003. He was also the first person of Inuit descent to be drafted by an NHL team. Tootoo wears the number '22' as a play on words of his name.[2]

He spent the 2005–06 season between the Nashville Predators and the Predators' minor league affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, where he played during the 2004–05 NHL lockout. On July 21, 2006 he was re-signed by the Predators to a two-year contract. On January 31, 2008, he was re-signed to another two-year contract extension.

Detroit Red Wings[edit]

Tootoo was designated an unrestricted free agent after the 2011-12 season. He signed a three-year, $5.7 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings, Nashville's Central Division rival on July 1, 2012.[3] He scored his first goal as a Red Wing against his former team, the Predators on February 19, 2013.

On June 18, 2014, the Red Wings placed Tootoo on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a compliance buyout.[4]

New Jersey Devils[edit]

Tootoo attended the training camp for the New Jersey Devils on a tryout basis and signed a one-year contract with the teams on October 7, 2014.

Suspensions and disciplinary issues[edit]

Tootoo has faced NHL disciplinary action on multiple occasions for his actions. On March 17, 2007, Tootoo punched defencemanStéphane Robidas of the Dallas Stars in the face during a game. Robidas was knocked unconscious and suffered a concussion. Two days later the NHL issued Tootoo a five-game suspension without pay, and accusations of "dirty" play were leveled. These accusations were resurrected after an incident on October 11, 2007, in which Tootoo hit the head of Daniel Winnik of the Phoenix Coyotes with his shoulder.[5]

On December 6, 2011, the NHL again suspended Tootoo, this time for two games, as a result of a charging incident against Buffalo Sabres' goaltender Ryan Miller in a game played on December 3, 2011.[6] The incident occurred after Nashville's own GM, David Poile, publicly supported league action to prevent such hits on goaltenders.[6]

Columbus Blue Jackets' forward Derek Dorsett accused Tootoo of throwing a sucker punch at him during a game on February 20, 2013.[7] "(But) that's just Jordin Tootoo. You expect those kind of things from him." said Dorsett. "Tootoo was just being himself, being the cheap player that he is and coming in swinging. In my eyes, that should be a suspension. Those are the type of things that they're trying to get out of the game. But he's an irrelevant player, so it doesn't even matter."[7]

Although born in Manitoba, Tootoo grew up in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut,[12] where he was taught to skate and play hockey by his father.[13] Growing up in Rankin Inlet also allowed Tootoo to learn the traditional Inuit lifestyle that includes hunting and camping.[2]

On December 27, 2010, Tootoo voluntarily entered the NHL/NHLPA's Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program to receive treatment for an alcohol problem.[16] Following successful completion of the program, he returned to finish the season and play in the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs.

In 2013 Stephen Brunt mentioned on radio that he is working on a book with Tootoo.[17]